Soldering SMD components by hand can be learnt.

FabLab Winti is a public workshop for digital production. In addition to our workshop, we also offer workshops and courses. KELLER supports «do-it-yourself» in the FabLab in the hope of counteracting the shortage of skilled labour in the STEM professions (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Just in time for our 10th anniversary, KELLER presented us with six brand new, high-quality hand soldering stations. This makes soldering really fun again. And if a component comes to rest at an angle on the circuit board or the soldering moustache at the soldering point reminds you of Hercules Poirot, you can no longer blame the soldering stations.

Insight into a soldering course

The rumour that small, surface-mounted electronic components, also known as SMDs (Surface-Mounted Devices), cannot be soldered by hand persists. Our participants in the last Fablab soldering course on 31 May 2024 were highly motivated to prove that rumour wrong.  In principle, the whole thing is not witchcraft, but as in most cases, the same applies here: Practice makes perfect!

Electronics enthusiasts, modellers, amateur astronomers, makers and technically creative people in general are confronted with soldering tasks from time to time in their everyday lives. Some of the participants have already had unpleasant experiences, others have never even dared to try their hand at the small components.

The course gets underway and the atmosphere is good. The instructor, Nik Roth, starts by teaching the basics of hand soldering. This includes choosing the right solder, the use of flux, everything about soldering temperatures and other practical tips and tricks.

In a second part, participants have the opportunity to carry out soldering exercises themselves. The circuit board and components are ready. It gets quiet in the FabLab. Highly focussed and equipped with a magnifying glass and tweezers, component after component is soldered onto the circuit board.  Nothing more can be heard than perhaps the occasional clearing of the throat. The instructor's attempts at moderation come to nothing. We can't solder and listen at the same time, they say. Progress is very slow. It is only when Nick «demonstrates» several times that the participants finally «click». They start chatting to each other again and soldering becomes easier.

The learning curve is steep. Finally, the soldering results of all participants are projected onto the screen using a microscope. Many of the soldered joints are really well done. The participants enjoy the rapid progress.

Despite their full commitment, the four hours were not enough to complete everything. In order to finalise the soldering products and because it was so much fun to work on something together, a date is agreed for the following week. A successful course comes to an end.

Stefan Meyre
Member FabLab Winti

«The FabLab offers many different practical courses, such as 3D printing, laser cutting, CAD design and Arduino. Would you like to come along?»

Overview courses FabLab Winti:
https://fablabwinti.ch/kurse/»